[en] Haematococcus pluvialis is a Chlorophyta industrially used for its ability to synthetise and to accumulate a high-value molecule: the astaxanthin (3,3'-dihydroxy-beta,beta'-carotene-4,4'-dione), a carotenoid of the xanthophyll familly. This pigment is used, i.e., as dye in food but, because of its antioxydant properties, applications in human health are also promising. The accumulation of this pigment occurs during a specific stage in the complex life cycle of this micro-algae. Thus, the understanding and the control of this cycle is a important key for a good production. In addition, the culture of H. pluvialis in countries where climate is not favourable to outdoor systems requires the conception of indoor photobioreactors.

We have searched to improve the astaxanthin production by H. pluvialis in an indoor photobioreactor context, much adapted to our country. For this, we have tried to redefine optimal growth conditions by an original approach. The search for an ideal culture medium was made by a "blind" screening in batch mode. Then, we have tested the efficacy of our formulation in a semi-continuous culture system. The impact of the macro-elements on the H. pluvialis life cycle and on the expression levels of genes implicated in the astaxanthin biosynthesis were also studied.

Our results allowed us to build up a photobioreactor prototype with an original design which may be a first step for the elaboration of a highly effective system for astaxanthin production by H. pluvialis.